Bedridden Witch – Divination Edition

A collection of black tarot cards with gold accents. The entire deck is laid out in an arch above a single card, The Sun. Above this single card there is a piece of gold-colored pyrite.
Golden Thread Tarot (x) and Pyrite

As someone who both practices witchcraft and is chronically ill, I find it important to be able to practice my craft even when I’m physically restricted, such as being bedridden. I hope this list inspires you to practice the craft in a way that fits your lifestyle ❤

Tarot:

  • Sleep with the deck under your pillow.
  • Do a two-card (or more!) spread – you don’t have to lay it out if you can’t sit up, you can hold them in your hand or place on your lap.
  • Pick one card that represents what you want from the next day and slip it under your pillow or mattress for the night.
  • Play around with a tarot app (I like the products from Labyrinthos but there’s loads out there.)
  • Memorize the meanings of the cards.
  • Make or buy a mini deck for easier use.
  • Do the easy “find this card and whatever is above or below it =X” spreads.

Scrying:

  • Use a black mirror or picture frame with black cloth/paper behind it.
  • Get a mini scrying bowl and fill with water, cradle it in your hands.

Pendulum:

  • Wear it around your neck.
  • Shorten the string so you don’t have to sit up.
  • Prop your hand on a pillow if you need the strength/steadiness.
  • Use off of the side of your bed if it’s too long (this can be a bit awkward)
  • Keep it under your pillow.
  • Use a mini pendulum or a necklace as a pendulum.
  • Make a simple board or don’t use one at all, just condition your pendulum with basic movements.
  • *You CAN use a pendulum even with shaky hands, it just takes a bit of bonding and conditioning.*

Tasseomancy:

  • Get a mug with two handles.
  • Keep in a sealable container until you’re ready.
  • Put a towel over yourself in case you spill.
  • Use a Tupperware container. No shame.

Runes: (Written by Tumblr user @adragonspath)

  • Sleep with your runes next to you.
  • Memorize their meaning.
  • Draw one rune and meditate on their meaning and how you can manifest them in your life.
  • Charge them with sun/moon light by your window.
  • Study their origin and reading methods.
  • Crystal and wooden runes: connect with the element Earth and the intent corresponding to the crystal/type of wood.
  • Other materials: meditate on the origin and developement of that material. Connect with the corresponding element and intent.

Bedridden Witch – Worship Edition

Closeup shot of a candle flame against a black background.

As someone who both practices witchcraft and is chronically ill, I find it important to be able to practice my craft even when I’m physically restricted, such as being bedridden. I hope this list inspires you to practice the craft in a way that fits your lifestyle ❤

*Quick note: I’m a firm believer that deities understand our situation and understand when we put our health first. You do not NEED to do any of these things!*

  • Burn candles or incense that remind you of them. If you are unable to do this, try an oil diffuser or room spray.
  • Use blankets, sheets, pillows, etc. that have colors you associate with them.
  • Make an online devotional blog or altar. 
  • Chat with other people who work with them. 
  • If your body is okay with it, eat foods that are sacred/connected to them.
  • Hang pictures or decorations that correspond with their sacred animals, plants, or what lessons or teachings they present to you.
  • Write devotional poetry, or make drawings for them.
  • Draw sigils for them and hang them on your walls, ceiling, or put under your mattress.
  • Find a stuffed animal that you feel captures their essence or reminds you of them, and hold it close when you need the support.
  • Research them/browse their tag on tumblr.
  • Keep stones and crystals you associate with them near you – on a bedside table or under your pillow.
  • Use astral travel or dream magic to connect with them.
  • Listen to music that makes you feel closer to them.
  • Watch shows or movies that remind you of them.
  • Pray to them, talk to them, write them a letter. Stay in communication with them, especially in times of need.
  • Meditate.
  • Drink something warm or cool that helps you connect with them.
  • Make a spell bottle/jar that you feel captures their essence. Charge during good days, use for connection and support during the not-so-good days.
  • Make emoji spells to feel more connected to them.
  • Expose yourself to natural light (or gentle artificial light) or complete darkness, depending on the deity.
  • Devote small, everyday tasks to them. 
  • Read books about them, or that remind you of them/their values.
  • Make herb sachets for them, keep them under your pillow or hang on your wall.
  • Wear scented oils, perfumes, lotions, or pick a shampoo with a scent or ingredients that make you think of them.
  • Again, please note that you don’t need to do anything to be connected to your gods/goddesses/deities. They know and understand what you are going through, and are patient. 

Bedridden Witch – Nature Edition

A hazy sunset over layers of mountains, with a group of people observing it from a peak in the foreground.
Photo taken by me during the west coast wildfires of 2017, on a wildlife tracking expedition. 

As someone who both practices witchcraft and is chronically ill, I find it important to be able to practice my craft even when I’m physically restricted, such as being bedridden. I hope this list inspires you to practice the craft in a way that fits your lifestyle ❤

  • Open a window, or crack the curtains
  • Hang rainbow prisms in your window
  • Keep a houseplant nearby
  • If regular houseplants require too much energy: Try cacti, succulents, lucky bamboo, or spider plants!
  • Hang nature/forest/plant artwork around
  • Get air freshener or room spray that reminds you of the outdoors
  • Watch a nature documentary or shows with people exploring nature – check out nature (photography) videos on Netflix for calming videos
  • Listen to forest soundscapes
  • Set a nature scene as your screensaver
  • Keep a jar of soil around
  • Talk with any nature deities you work with
  • Follow nature blogs
  • Get sheets, blankets, or pillowcases with leafy designs, flower designs, etc.
  • Get a star map app on your phone to be more connected to the night sky
  • Have a vase of flowers (real or fake)
  • Keep crystals around that remind you of nature (Moss agate, petrified wood, onyx, selenite, agate geodes, etc.)
  • Use sigils designed to connect you to nature
  • Use air conditioning or a fan to make it less stuffy in your room
  • Read and write poetry about nature
  • Press plants/flowers or hang dried herbs by your bed
  • Spend some time looking outside of your window
  • Burn a nature scented candle or incense (Irish moss, myrrh, frankincense, opium, and lavender)
  • Use astral travel or dream magic to get to outdoor areas
  • Watch livestream videos of outdoor areas
  • Make a sachet of grass, oak bark (or whatever tree you like), quartz, and salt. Hang it near your bed.

With help from others:

  • Get someone to collect rainwater for you, and use it to wash your face
  • Ask a friend to take some pictures of cool places they go in nature and send them to you
  • Have someone collect rocks/plants/feathers etc. from each day and bring them back for you 
  • Have someone pick wildflowers for you
  • Drink some herbal tea
  • Have someone you trust harvest wild edibles/berries for you – or at least bring fresh fruits and veggies!
  • Skype or video chat with someone while they’re outside
  • Take the scenic route/detour to some natural areas the next time you need a car ride

Bedridden Witch Series

image

For those of you who don’t know me, I suffer from a chronic illness and I spend a LOT of time bedridden. I also happen to be a witch! I don’t let being trapped in bed stop me from practicing my craft. Here are some resources I’ve compiled from my personal experiences and the help of others ❤

Check the reblogs for future updates! Posted 8/23/18.

Bedridden witch: Garden edition

image

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Being bedridden and having a garden are two things that don’t mix”. And you’re right, it does make it hard to have a traditional, outdoor garden. But, there are plenty of ways to bring the garden in!

Bringing bits of your existing garden in:

  • Jars of your garden soil.
  • Give the smaller, weaker plants you pulled a second chance!
  • Make a terrarium using soil, rocks, water and plants from your garden.
  • Dry flowers and herbs from your garden in your bedroom.
  • Keep containers of seeds from your plants nearby.

Creating an accessible garden (inside):

  • If you don’t have good lighting, get a grow light. There’s bulbs that screw into normal lamps if you don’t have space for one of the bar lights. [X]
  • The seed-starter trays are a super simple system and often have trays underneath so it’s okay if you miss a day of watering.
  • Also consider: Eggshells
  • Window garden boxes are awesome, but not realistic for a lot of people (including myself). 
  • Planting your plants in plastic pots can be an easy way to control their environment and ensure they’re getting enough root space (plus if you’ve done any gardening before you’ll have tons, please don’t go out of your way to buy plastic products!).
  • Place a bowl or tupperware container underneath each pot/planter so water doesn’t drip and you can fill them up so the plants become self-watering.
  • Self-watering pots also exist.
  • If a watering can isn’t realistic, use a pitcher or a gallon jug. 

What to grow?

  • These plants can (easily) regrow in a couple inches of water: Scallions, Lettuce, Garlic Sprouts, Basil, Lemon Grass. 
  • These herbs do well inside: Basil, Lemon Balm, Mint, Chives.
  • These herbs do okay inside: Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme.
  • These flowers do well inside: Begonias, Jasmine, African Violet, Christmas Cactus, Mini Roses.
  • These flowers do okay inside: Marigold, Pansy, Geranium, Impatiens.
  • Cacti, succulents and air plants are all very low maintenance as long as you have enough lighting!

Witchy things to do:

  • Influence seedlings with different energies and see which grow fastest.
  • Use sigils to help your plants grow well.
  • Using correspondences, make a tea or cold-infusion with herbs based on your needs. 
  • Put crystals with your plant babies.
  • Make bouquets with your flowers based on their magical properties, and enchant them! You can dry them too.
  • Water your plants with different types of water (moon, sun, rain, stream, storm, etc.)
  • Let watering/caring for your plants help nourish you.
  • Make infused oils. 
  • Make a terrarium that mimics your home/garden and use it to bless/ward your home.
  • Decorate your pots/containers with color correspondences, sigils and witchy art!
  • Use your plant’s energy to help gain growth, warmth and energy from the sun and soil.
  • Plant seeds when starting new things and to bring change into your life.
  • When you tend them, focus on what they represent.
  • When you’re ready to move on, or take the next step – harvest the plants if that’s realistic. If not, allow them to be a reminder of what you’ve worked for. 
  • Allow the magic of growth and life to enter your home!

Other Helpful Posts:

Bedridden witch: Weather edition

image

  • Keep jars of water from different types of weather nearby.
  • Create a page of sigils, one for each type of weather.
  • Try to guess the forecast for the day, then check it!
  • Burn rain scented candles, or ones that remind you of certain types of weather.
  • Utilize herbs and woods that are connected to weather magic [X].
  • Draw energy from whatever weather is happening outside.
  • Read/write poetry that makes you feel the weather.
  • Hang wind chimes and flags outside your window so you can easily tell the changes in wind.
  • Put a rain gauge in sight of your window.
  • Enchant a snow globe to bring snow.
  • Listen to ambiance tracks that sound like the rain or a storm. 
  • Use the raindrops on the window as a form of divination.
  • Make a file with videos and gifs of different weather and pull it up when you need to.
  • Use a glass of water to summon/dispel rain.
  • Make bottles for types of weather, shake to bring it and tap to dispel it.
  • Watch YouTube videos on different types of clouds and how they’re formed.
  • Use different weather’s waters for scrying, cleansing, or flinging something into manifestation. 
  • Use a super in-depth weather app.
  • Leave small offerings to weather/storm deities if it fits your craft.
  • Create a terrarium that resembles your area, and add things to manipulate the environment. 
  • Open your window!
  • Use a map to draw weather certain places.
  • Create art for your favorite types of weather.

Related posts: